FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Sarajevo Canton unveiled a new emission register and pollutant information system using GIS technology to enhance air quality monitoring and support climate neutrality goals.
The digital tool provides a spatial overview of emission sources across the region, introducing a fully digitized system for tracking annual air emissions. Officials say the system aligns Sarajevo with standards in advanced European cities.
The platform features dispersion maps for pollutants such as PM10, SO2, and NOx, enabling authorities to pinpoint pollution hotspots.
Raduska Cupac, a United Nations Development Programme representative, said the system offers transparency and detailed insights into pollution sources, aiding decision-making in urban development, energy, transport, and public health.
The initiative is backed by the Swedish government, emphasizing public access to environmental data. Birgitte Jansson, deputy head of the Development Cooperation Department at the Swedish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the system will empower policymakers and citizens to combat air pollution.
Sarajevo has struggled with deteriorating air quality during colder months, often ranking among the most polluted cities in the region.
A World Bank report published in January found that Bosnia and Herzegovina residents face higher exposure to toxic particulate matter than many in Western Europe. Officials cite the use of low-quality solid fuels for heating and cooking, inefficient stoves and boilers, industrial activity, and aging vehicle fleets as major contributors to pollution.